What we really need is research and medical-treatment programs for the poor, unfortunate people who are terrified of guns, won’t go near guns, who would not defend themselves or their families if they had to, and who, very plainly, hate guns.
Hate is a terrible thing.
It must be confronted vigorously, righteously, and in a forthright manner. Logic and law do not confront hate, or help lessen it. We must learn not to tolerate gun hate, anywhere we find it.
Hoplophobic behavior in government, schools, and all facets of public life must be recognized for what it is, exposed, and rooted out or treated. Seemingly utopian pacifists are free to profess their love of a weapon-free world, but they must start by disarming the evil, criminal and tyrannical. Disarming the general public is a vent for their twisted fear and hatred, a grotesque affront to freedom, and unacceptable. Disarming an innocent person is an act of violence.
Alan Korwin
HOPLOPHOBIA–A modern scourge.
January 24, 2005
[As a Libertarian I’m generally more closely aligned with Phil (see the last paragraph of this post) than with any mainstream political party. However I would give consideration to a government paid for treatment facility for government employee first offenders hoplophobes as an alternative to prison. But as long as they present no threat to others the poor tormented souls of the Brady Campaign, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and the Violence Policy Center should pay for their own treatments.—Joe]
Imagine the guy in the doctor’s coat saying something like:
Sorry ma’am. I will have to prescribe a weekend at Mr. Huffman’s. It’s the only way to cure your child of this phobia.
The situation described by Corwin is one that has amused me for a long time. The innocent, law abiding gun owners are penalized while the actions of gun controllers do nothing whatsoever to deter crime and criminals.
Of course, given the choice of an opponent, I’d choose the law-abiding nonviolent citizen over a meth-addled street thug every time, too. Not just easier pickings, but much safer.